Thursday, July 04, 2013

The Cincinnati Bengals are coming off
back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in 30 years, and will be
looking to take the next step this season by getting that elusive postseason
win and making a run through the AFC. The Bengals haven’t won a playoff game in
22 seasons, but that drought could come to an end thanks to three notable
changes that should take Cincinnati
to that next level in 2013-14.

Head coach Marvin Lewis understands what is
at stake heading in to this season, as the pressure on him is greater than ever
before with a real sense of urgency that this team must succeed now. Lewis will
pass Jim Mora Sr. for the most games coached with one team without winning a
single playoff game if the Bengals don’t finally break through. Offensive
coordinator Jay Gruden has done an excellent job with a young offense, and
defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has even more weapons to work with on
defense, so the sense of urgency will be there for a coaching staff that must
win now.

Notable Change #2: Dalton Set To Break Out In Third NFL Season

Quarterback Andy Dalton is just the sixth
quarterback in the Super Bowl era to lead his team to the playoffs in each of
his first two seasons, and he is ready to break out in his third year. Dalton needs to do a
better job of getting the ball off cleanly under pressure and hitting his
targets on deep throws, and this could be the year he finally puts it all
together. Dalton
has worked hard on his footwork and refined his release point during offseason
workouts, and he has a ton of weapons at his disposal led by Pro Bowl wide
receiver AJ Green. Dalton
is a hard-working leader that understands the offense’s success revolves around
his play, and will look to take another step forward after finishing with the
seventh-best passer rating in the AFC a year ago.

Notable Change #3: Defense Poised To
Take Another Step Forward With Harrison,
Kirkpatrick

The defense has been a strength of the
Bengals for some time now, and should be even better with the addition of
linebackers James Harrison, Aaron Maybin, and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick.
Kirkpatrick played just five games last season after a concussion and knee
injury kept him out, and Cincinnati’s
first-round pick from last year’s draft is ready to challenge for more time
with Leon Hall and Terence Newman holding down the starting corner jobs. Harrison has never played in a 4-3 but is smarter than
some people give him credit for and should provide a pass-rush spark along with
Maybin. The heart of the defense is a strength with tackles Geno Atkins and
Domata Peko at tackle and middle linebacker Rey Maualuga, while Zimmer is one
of the best coordinators in the NFL. The defense is poised for a big year in
2013-14, with everything it needs to break through.

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